The World XV have not included Stormers flank Luke Watson in a powerful squad to play matches against the Springboks and a Western Province XV.

Watson told keo.co.za earlier this month that he would be playing for the World side against the Boks. The former SA U21 captain hoped to prove a point against Schalk Burger at Ellis Park, but his name was missing from the official squad announced on Tuesday.

Keo.co.za has learnt that Western Province director of coaching Nick Mallett would not release Watson for the matches.

Another Bok hopeful, Gloucester flank Jake Boer, has also not been included in the squad, although he’s been struggling with injury.

One South African who could use the World XV matches to force his way into Jake White’s squad is former Bok prop Cobus Visagie, who’s been in outstanding form for Saracens this season.

The World XV, coached by 1991 Australian World Cup winning coach Bob Dwyer, will meet a Bok XV at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday 3 June before travelling to Cape Town for the Corne Krige testimonial match at Newlands on Friday 9 June.

The World XV kicked off its three-match programme with a 64-14 win over a Saracens XV in Richard Hillâ€™s testimonial match at Vicarage Road in London on Sunday.

The squad reads like an international â€œwhoâ€™s whoâ€ with the bulk of players representing New Zealand, Australia, France and England.

The back division boasts the likes of All Blacks Carlos Spencer, Justin Marshall, and Bruce Reihana, Wallabies Matt Burke and Joe Roff, French internationals Thomas Castaignede and Cedric Debrosse, and Irish international David Humphreys.

Dwyer, who will be assisted by Welsh Six Nationsâ€™ winning coach Mike Ruddock and former All Black Craig Dowd, is looking forward to a good tour.

â€œWe are fortunate that many great players have made themselves available for this tour,â€ he said. â€œThey showed their class in the Saracens game and will no doubt be determined to keep the momentum on tour. We expect two tough games in South Africa against some of their top players.â€